Did Jesus choose to die or did he have to die?

Answer 1

No. Jesus is the only perfectly sinless human being who has ever lived. He never did anything wrong, not a single unkind work or thought, never lied, was violent, or committed any son or wrongdoing of any sort. He is absolutely 100% perfect because he is God.

There is a story in the Coptic Gospels where a young Jesus killed a young person, but learned that he must control his powers. That book is not included in The Bible because the Bible is all truth and only truth and inspired in the writers by the Holy Spirit and this book/story is neither true nor Holy Spirit inspired so therefore it was not included in the Bible. Jesus absolutely NEVER harmed ANYONE. at all. ever.

Answer 2

Theological reasons

Martin Goodman (A World History of Christianity - The emergence of Christianity) says that it is very hard to envisage a theological reason for Jesus' crucifixion since nothing he was alleged to have preached was more shocking than is found elsewhere in Jewish literature of this period.

Troublemaker

Goodman says that the political position of the Judean ruling classes, led by the High Priest Caiaphas, depended on their imposing their authority on the Jews, and that if they failed to do so Pontius Pilate could readily replace them. Because of this, they would move quickly against troublemakers. However, the gospels say that the priests did not even recognise Jesus, needing Judas to identify him to them, thus suggesting that Jesus was far from a troublemaker.

Altercation in the Temple

In the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) the event that triggered the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was the "cleansing of the Temple", when he overturned the tables of the moneychangers. Even taking place in the Temple forecourt, this seems unlikely to have required a trial before the Roman governor, or execution.

Undermining priestly authority

In John's Gospel, the event that triggered the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was the resurrection of Lazarus, with the Pharisees saying of him, "Perceive how ye prevail nothing? Behold the whole world is gone after him." This was more serious. If Jesus could really raise the dead, even after four days, then the priests could have had reason for concern. Perhaps this is why the author of John, who seems to have had an understanding of Jewish customs and law, chose not to follow the synoptic gospels in attributing the arrest of Jesus to his altercation in the Temple.

King of the Jews

The most important accusation against Jesus at his trial was of claiming to be the King of the Jews (Mark 15:2). This is not substantiated in the gospels, which do not report Jesus as having claimed to be King of the Jews. In any case, such a claim seems more likely to justify amusement on the part of the priests and the Roman governor, not execution.

Forgiveness of sins

From a Christian perspective, the death of Jesus is commonly regarded as necessary for the forgiveness of sins, regardless of the reasons the Jewish authorities might have had. This would seem quite illogical, since it suggests that God did not have the power or willingness to forgive sins unless he allowed Jesus to be killed.

Conclusion

Of the various possible reasons for the execution of Jesus, John's Gospel offers the most plausible - that his apparent ability to raise the dead would undermine their authority.

Answer 3

The answer is both.He had to die and be resurrected to fulfill Scripture and secure our salvation, but he still had free will.